Japanese mosquito repellent may curb dengue fever uptick in Southeast Asia

A new mosquito repellent invented by Japanese cosmetic company Kao may be the solution to curbing dengue fever, an epidemic in Southeast Asia. The illness is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes and severe cases can cause death. The new invention uses a type of low-viscosity oil to make the skin surface intolerable for mosquitoes, causing them to fly away upon landing. This is different from conventional repellents, which block the insect’s sense of smell. The new repellent is on sale for US$1.80 in Thailand.